Syntakt, but what next?

cogsy · 2023-01-14T05:06:05.746Z

ezilybored:

Keep Syntakt, add Digitakt. The cheapest option (if Digi is 2nd hand). Gives samples and resampling. However, more boxes which makes it less portable and more wires on the sofa.

Keep Syntakt and add Octatrack. Is the most expensive option. I get per channel effects. resampling and samples. However this loses overbridge which I quite like for when I eventually need to get the tracks into my DAW.

Trade Syntakt for Analog Rtm Mk2. Is the second most expensive at a few hundred £ more than the Syntakt/Digitakt option. Gets all options in one box and gives most things needed. However, not sure if the sampling is as good as the Digitakt or Octatrack

I have the Rytm and Octa, have owned a DT. For your use case, I’d go option 1. If what you want is sampling/resampling workflow, Digitakt is a good way to go. The Rytm can be a sampler, but it has limitations in resolution of start/end, LFO, choke groups. The DVCO is awesome for bass, but you have that with Syntakt.

The channel FX on the OT are quirky, to say the least. The reverb certainly isn’t as lush as the modern boxes. Everything else should be achievable with resampling with external FX. I wouldn’t get the OT unless you really want to get into loops. As just an FX box, there are certainly better solutions, unless you want to lean into scenes/performances, in which case it gets crazy.

But others have a good point. Learn your new gear some more. Push yourself until you hit the wall. Once you hit your limits, you’ll know better what you need

selfup · 2023-01-14T05:09:58.841Z

+1 for BB. I am biased as I have two… but they are delightful machines. Syntakt + BB would be quite the combo. While the FX on the BB are lacking the ability to easily sample and playback super duper long samples is what makes it attractive.

If you like modulation and FX after what you are creating… the DT is fun but limited in playback as well as mono.

“Just” do what @Jeanne does and then consider a sampler. Otherwise have fun melting faces!

bangonadigi · 2023-01-14T05:20:45.252Z

Can DAWs really sample though? Or do people mean use the DAW as a sample player/ editor? I find it’s not very fun to direct sample into a computer DAW.

selfup · 2023-01-14T05:21:58.096Z

Clip workflows can absolutely feel like a sampler. I sample all of my gear this way. I am partial to Bitwig but other daws can achieve the same workflow.

Cosmic · 2023-01-14T05:24:35.654Z

That’s truly great, love your style, need some hard liquor now to go with it though

technolover303 · 2023-01-14T06:21:42.812Z

Still couldn’t figure out how to make a kick rumble with only one or two tracks and without using a reverb… would you mind explaining it ?

ezilybored · 2023-01-14T10:04:32.183Z

I’ve narrowed my choice down to Digitakt, Blackbox or SP404 mk2. Have found second hand for all. My decision may be decided by the fates of the online auction.

@technolover303 I still haven’t got it yet either. Going to be playing around later today.

For those asking why I need to not use laptop. I also use my laptop for work. I’m a web dev so need to keep a lot of stuff open and running while I also make music. It isn’t ideal, but it’s what I have.

I’ve also just been informed that my studio room is to become my sons “teenage bedroom” so my music space is going to be severely downsized soon

technolover303 · 2023-01-14T10:46:37.147Z

I know what you face having children made my studio smaller too !

I think you made the good choice. Even if the AR is awesome you would have missed the ST digital machines for sure

Jeanne · 2023-01-14T13:45:57.096Z

technolover303:

Still couldn’t figure out how to make a kick rumble with only one or two tracks and without using a reverb… would you mind explaining it ?

Edit: Removed since I developed better techniques than those I wrote here. Those also do not utilize reverb and/or delay.

Sternenlicht · 2023-01-14T14:05:29.326Z

I say mpc live or akai force, ok the reverb sucks, but make a rumble on the daw, import it, and do all other sounds with ease, best couch device imho because it has wifi, dont does emails, can resample everything (pads, audio tracks etc) the synth sound good, add maybe their fm synth, done. Probability is also there and you could sample in the syntakt you already have. maybe the reverb also works if you distort it anyways or add delay for the rumble etc. Layering samples is also an easy task. 4 layers for hard hitting drums, drum synth build in etc…

ezilybored · 2023-01-14T15:25:44.498Z

Those all sound great. Haven’t got around to having a play yet today. Will try these techniques together later. Thanks

ezilybored · 2023-01-14T15:41:59.920Z

Went with the Digitakt too. Just picked one up. Looking forward to having a play in a few days

Claid · 2023-01-14T15:44:45.946Z

Added complexity = added stress and less music being made. Sequence your DAW with the Syntakt. Seriously, it’s great for that. In Ableton Live and utilising Overbridge, you can set up a drum rack which pipes in the different channels of the Syntakt to the drum rack cells, and layer in a sample that plays at the same time on the same cell. You can even layer multiple samples to play alongside your Syntakt channels, mix in the volumes of each sample, apply filters, endless LFOs and yes, even per-cell effects. How about beefing up your Syntakt sub bass with another synth entirely? You can even layer entire synths alongside your Syntakt sound and samples on the drum rack cells. It really gets that deep. And you have all that already in your computer. No additional money being spent, no additional plug sockets, no additional wires snaking back and forth across your desk. Quick and powerful.

geronimo · 2023-01-14T17:02:05.160Z

I’ve owned the Digitakt and the 404MK2, and both are amazing. I’ve boiled my setup down to Syntakt and the 404, however.

Reasons? I rarely use 12 tracks on Syntakt, so I can apply Elektron sequencing to the 404. Also, I personally love having the battery powered option of the 404, which means I can easily grab and go with one box if I’m inclined. Finally - the FX (and resampling) are fantastic.

Funkyswitches · 2023-01-14T18:31:49.930Z

“what next”?

Another device that does the same thing, just with a different approach?

ezilybored · 2023-01-14T19:36:42.547Z

J3RK · 2023-01-27T01:02:27.805Z

image2162×4032 1.55 MB

randy909 · 2023-01-27T03:40:36.032Z

I made some posts about making rumble bass with plocks a while back. The one about Model Cycles should transfer to Syntakt. With syntakt you can use the filter to remove the slight clicks you get with cycles. I think you’ll get a different sound to what you posted with this technique. Can also be a galloping horse thing depending on how you dial it in.

https://www.elektronauts.com/t/octatrack-tutorial-video-rumble-bass/148580/9

https://www.elektronauts.com/t/octatrack-tutorial-video-rumble-bass/148580/15

djst · 2023-01-27T06:07:22.756Z

That’s very clever! All that’s missing now is to route all the cables via their docked sides somehow. Imagine it there was a dock connector on the sides.

J3RK · 2023-01-27T16:39:26.314Z

That would be handy!

As it is now, it’s not bad. I got right-angle 1/4" and MIDI cables that are JUST long enough to connect the two together. No cable mess. Still not quite as clean as a dock-type thing would be, but using the pair of them together away from the studio is much better this way.

Also, thanks for the idea! It would be pretty simple to make a PCB that connects just the connectors needed on the back to say, pass MIDI and Audio from one to the other. There could even be a couple of switches to determine which direction the MIDI and/or audio is going. (DT MIDI OUT > ST MIDI IN for example) (of course really one pair of main outputs should be exposed, so maybe audio direction wouldn’t be quite as useful.